Directing your child to the right information and support

If you think your child may be having an issue online but they are reluctant to talk to you about it, you can direct them to the online issues and worries area of Hwb. This area has been created so that children and young people know what to do and where to turn for help with a number of online issues.

CEOP Education has a great resource with tips for starting a conversation with your child about a sensitive issue or something you don't usually talk about.

Guidance for families

Keeping up with the latest social media and gaming apps children and young people are using can be a minefield! Our app guides highlight the current most popular apps and include information about risks and enabling parental controls and safety settings.

If you are considering buying your child a smartphone or have recently done so, you’ll want to ensure it is set up correctly and safely. Internet Matters and EE have produced guidance for parents and carers as part of their PhoneSmart licence, to help you talk to your children about online safety and set up their smartphones safely.

Are you planning a Summer holiday this year? Check out Get Safe Online’s expert tips on avoiding fraud and safely searching and booking holidays and travel with confidence.

New and emerging online trends

There are some new and emerging issues and trends you may have heard of and want to know more about.

• Online challenges can spread quickly on social media, particularly on apps such as TikTok. If you’re concerned that your child may have been exposed to a harmful online challenge, there is guidance available to support you.
• AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular with children and young people. To learn more about how they are being used, take a look at the Safer Schools guide.
• If you have any concerns that your child may be accessing the dark web, this factsheet produced by CEOP Education will help you to have informed conversations and support your child.
• The metaverse is a concept which is being discussed widely as the potential future of the internet. These resources will help you and your family understand the concepts behind the future metaverse, how it may be used and potential risks and dangers.

Misinformation

Misinformation can take many forms and it is important not to believe everything you see, hear or read online at face value. It’s not just news articles where misinformation exists, it’s often found in the form of a meme or an edited picture, an image of out context or a simple social media post.

There is support available to help you to identify and stop the spread of misinformation.

If you are concerned about an issue or something a child or young person has experienced, there is help and advice available. Our report an online issue area on Keeping Safe Online can guide you to find the right support, whatever the issue.  

Clink here for direct link to article on Hwb website